This Austin was a Shriner parade car in Winnemucca, Nevada apparently until 1978. It’s now listed on craigslist for $4,500. It looks complete, but the engine is apart and ready for honing, rings and reassembly with the included rings and gasket set.
There’s no sign of rust in any of the photos. Winnemucca is very dry as well as desolate, so it’s completely possible that it’s truly rust free. The odometer shows 42,500 miles. The glass and shiny bits are all nice. The interior actually looks fantastic, doesn’t it? The original manuals are even included! I actually asked my wife if we could have it, but she said not until after our kid completes graduate school. I know some might turn this into a gasser or a street rod, but I hope it stays the way it currently is. I would love to buy it and display it at the museum as a bit of Americana. But what would you do with it?
This is a car from my childhood,growing up in Dublin,my father had one and,personally the only way to go would keep her as she was built,with a paint job!
If it were mine I’d fix the mechanicals and have it repainted a different colour.
As I recall, these had mechanical, not hydraulic brakes and you didn’t have to worry about floor rust as the floors were wood. Also, the little long stroke OHV would barely move the thing. My Dad sold ours and bought a Riley RMA. Now that was a car.
I believe brakes are called “Hydro-mech” as front are hydraulic with master & wheel cylinders, rear are mechanically operated. My ’53 Bentley also has front hydraulic & rear mechanical, but the system is much more complex and reliable on the Bentley but only so long at the brake servo is operating correctly.
The rear brakes on these cars are hydraulic, but, with a central cylinder placed on top of the rear axle that actuates the brakes on the wheels by a rod to each wheel
I just bought this car for $1000, basically still in the same condition.
Planning to fix it and drive it.